Former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R-Fla.) political future is up within the air following his announcement that he’s taking his identify out of the operating to be lawyer normal within the Trump administration.
Gaetz was below intense scrutiny over previous investigations by the Justice Division (DOJ) and the Home Ethics Committee. The DOJ was investigating Gaetz as part of a broad intercourse trafficking probe, together with allegations involving underage girls, although it declined to file costs. Gaetz has vigorously denied these accusations. The previous congressman was additionally the topic of a Home Ethics Committee investigation into alleged sexual misconduct and drug use.
“While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz wrote on social platform X.
Listed here are 5 potentialities for what may come subsequent for Gaetz.
One other function in Trump administration
Whereas Gaetz took himself out of the operating to be lawyer normal, Trump nonetheless may appoint him to an administration publish, within the White Home or elsewhere, that may not require a Senate affirmation listening to.
By selecting Gaetz, Trump would have a high-profile defender in his administration with out having to undergo a messy affirmation course of. Senate Republicans have been warning that affirmation hearings on Gaetz can be like “Kavanaugh on steroids,” referring to the hearings for now-Supreme Court docket Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018.
If Gaetz have been to tackle one other function within the Trump administration, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) must set a date for a particular election for Gaetz’s seat within the state’s 1st Congressional District.
DeSantis has already instructed the secretary of state to set a schedule for the particular election, however a date has not but been decided. The primary district is a pink seat and would possible see a aggressive Republican main. A lot of Republicans have already lined as much as run within the particular election for Gaetz’s seat.
Gubernatorial run
Gaetz has been among the many Republicans floated to run for governor as soon as DeSantis’s time period ends in 2026.
However a gubernatorial run for Gaetz would include baggage.
“Gaetz is damaged goods and donors should line up behind someone else,” mentioned Dan Eberhart, a Florida-based Republican donor.
“It’s time for Gaetz to practice law,” he added.
A gubernatorial run, nevertheless, may nonetheless immediate issues for Gaetz up on Capitol Hill. One Home Republican, who requested anonymity to debate the delicate subject, mentioned there would possible nonetheless be a push for extra info relating to the allegations in opposition to Gaetz, together with the Ethics report.
“If he puts himself out there to run for governor, which is kind of the one everyone seems to think he’s gonna run for, I do think that if not this report, at least some information needs to come out because people need to know who they’re electing,” the lawmaker mentioned.
Reps. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) and Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) have been additionally floated for the place, however with Waltz being appointed to function Trump’s nationwide safety adviser, Gaetz would possible face off in opposition to Donalds in a main.
“Right now, the best-positioned person to be the next governor of Florida is Byron Donalds,” mentioned Ford O’Connell, a Florida-based GOP strategist.
Return to Home of Representatives
Gaetz resigned his seat for the present 118th Congress, however his resignation letter left some wiggle room for Gaetz to return for the 119th Congress that begins on Jan. 3, since he was reelected to the seat.
“I do not intend to take the oath of office for the same office in the 119th Congress to pursue the position of Attorney General in the Trump Administration,” Gaetz wrote in his letter.
Now that he’s now not pursuing the lawyer normal place, his intentions might change.
It’s unclear whether or not Gaetz may return unilaterally, however some congressional sources imagine he can. If not, Gaetz has simply gained reelection, and will possible win a particular election.
In fact, Gaetz might not even need to return to the Home. His spouse, Ginger Gaetz, re-posted his assertion on X about withdrawing from lawyer normal consideration with a photograph of the 2 on the Capitol steps that was captioned: “The end of an era.”
Being within the Home would additionally imply that the Home Ethics Committee would once more have jurisdiction over him — and nullifying thorny questions on whether or not it’s acceptable to launch a report on a former member. The panel investigated Gaetz on and off for years over allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and different issues. Gaetz has vigorously denied the allegations, and the Division of Justice declined to cost him after investigating associated issues.
A number of Home Republicans don’t need to see Gaetz, who threw the Home into chaos when he voted to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), again within the halls.
“No one wants him back,” one Home Republican informed The Hill with a chuckle. “I think that he can get sworn in, I mean he was elected by his district, he has every right. So, I don’t think we could stop him. But he’s not loved, that’s for sure.”
“A collective good riddance from many right-of-center members!” one other Home Republican informed The Hill in response to Gaetz’s withdrawal.
Media profession
Whereas there are a number of paths Gaetz may pursue in authorities and politics, the Florida Republican may additionally take a stab at a profession in media — an business through which he already has expertise.
Gaetz has been an everyday presence on TV and different media for years, vigorously defending Trump.
Appointment to Senate
Shortly after Gaetz took his identify out of the ring to be lawyer normal, some floated the likelihood that Gaetz may fill Sen. Marco Rubio’s (R-Fla.) seat within the Senate after Rubio is confirmed as secretary of State.
The 2 are former colleagues within the Home, and Gaetz helped put together DeSantis in debate preparation when he first ran for governor in 2018.
However the two have been on totally different sides within the 2024 main. Gaetz backed Trump within the Republican presidential main final 12 months shortly earlier than DeSantis challenged Trump.
The choice on who will fill Rubio’s seat lies with DeSantis, and Gaetz has not been among the many names floated for the place. DeSantis is claimed to be contemplating his chief of employees James Uthmeier, state Lieutenant Gov. Jeannette Nunez and state Legal professional Basic Ashley Moody.
Lara Trump, the president-elect’s daughter-in-law, has been floated by quite a lot of distinguished lawmakers and has expressed curiosity within the place. A state of affairs through which DeSantis appoints her to the Senate might be seen as an olive department to the president-elect.
There can be one other probability on the Senate in 2026 when the particular election for Rubio’s seat is held, however that state of affairs looks like it will current the identical challenges {that a} statewide run for governor would.
“He’s toxic for the same reasons,” Eberhart mentioned, when requested about the opportunity of Gaetz going for the Senate seat. “If he wants back in, he’s gonna need to run on his own.”
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